Kalanchoe plant named &#39;KJ 2003 0818&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata , interspecific hybrid plant named ‘KJ 2003 0818’ characterized by a large number of petals per flower resulting in a double-type or multi-petalled trait; the large size of petals resulting in a large flower; a unique soft pink color with a touch of yellow; and a large number of flowers per plant.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘KJ 2003 0818’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofKalanchoe plant, botanically known as K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniatainterspecific hybrid, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KJ2003 0818’. As used herein, “interspecific hybrid” includes the progenyfrom the cross of two different species of Kalanchoe, as well as, theprogeny resulting from subsequent backcrossing to one of the parents.

The genus of Kalanchoebelongs to the sedum family (Crassulaceae). Thereare more than 100 different species of Kalanchoe, of which more than 60are found growing wild on Madagascar, many in South Africa and a few inAsia and South America. Kalanchoe belongs to the succulent plants, whichare characterized by watery leaves. The leaves enable them to withstanddrought in nature or on the windowsill for a longer time than most otherplants, and this allows for a supreme longevity.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar is a product of a controlled breeding programconducted by the Inventors, Knud Jepsen and Ellen Christensen, inHinnerup, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to createnew Kalanchoe cultivars with large flowers, numerous petals per flower,attractive flower coloration and excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the Inventors in Hinnerup, Denmark. The femaleparent, designated K. blossfeldiana cultivar ‘Leonardo’, is described inpending U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,365, and having the multi-petalleddouble-type flower characteristic. The male parent designated K.blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid ‘KJ 1998-469’,unpatented, having very large single-type flowers. The new Kalanchoecultivar ‘KJ 2003 0818’ was discovered and selected by the Inventors asa flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in Hinnerup, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative terminal cuttingswas first performed in April of 2004 in Hinnerup, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproducestrue-to-type through asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘KJ 2003 0818’which in combination distinguish this Kalanchoe as a new and distinctcultivar:

1. a large number of petals per flower resulting in a double-type ormulti-petalled trait;

2. the large size of petals resulting in a large flower;

3. a unique soft pink color with a touch of yellow; and

4. a large number of flowers per plant.

Table 1 provides a comparison among plants of ‘KJ 2003 0818’ and plantsof the parents, K blossfeldiana cultivar ‘Leonardo’ and K.blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid ‘KJ 1998-469’: TABLE 1Female Parent ‘Leonardo’ Male Parent New Cultivar (patented, ‘KJ1998-469’ Trait ‘KJ 2003 0818’ PP13,365) (unpatented) Height of cultivarIs about 25 cm Is about 30 cm Is about 33 cm Flower Type Double-typeDouble-type Single-type Flower Diameter 20-24 mm 15-17 mm 20-25 mmFlower number 250-350 250-300 350-400 Number of Up to 43 full or Between18-25 4 petals Corolla Lobes partial petals full or partial petalsCorolla Red-purple. Red-purple. Red-purple. Coloration Summer color- RHSN74 A with RHS 68 B with ation: Center of one very thin many fine theflower corolla longitudinal line longitudinal is 65 A. Border of fromapex to base lines RHS 62 the corolla is 65 (1 mm) RHS 71 D. The D. Finethin long- B. border of the itudinal line from corolla is 62 D. apex tobase (1 mm) with 64 D. Winter coloration: Center of the corolla is 62A.The border of the corolla is 65 C. Fine thin long- itudinal line fromapex to base (1 mm) with 64 C. Shape of petal Broadly elliptic Ellipticpetals. Broadly elliptic petals. The width The width of the petals. Theof the petal is 6 petal is 4 mm and width of the mm and the the lengthis 7 petal is length is 9 mm. shape of 8 mm. The mm. The shape the apexis and the length of the apex is cuspidate with is 12 mm. The cuspidatewith entire shape of entire margin. margin. the apex is cus- pidate withentire margin. Leaf Ovate leaves with Ovate leaves with Elliptic leavesmedium petiole. medium petiole. with long pet- The apex is The apex isiole. The apex obtuse and the obtuse and the is rounded and base isobtuse. base is rounded. the base is obtuse. Leaf texture The texture ofthe The texture of the The texture of leaf is glabrous leaf is glabrousthe leaf is and shinning. and shinning. glabrous and shinning.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present Inventors, themost similar in comparison to ‘KJ 2003 0818’ is Kalanchoe cultivar ‘KJ2002 0504’. Comparing these two cultivars, besides the petal color beinga different pink shade, the main distinction is that plants of ‘KJ 20030818’ have large sized petals resulting in large flowers which have avery harmonic symmetry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘KJ 2003 0818’ showing the colors as trueas is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value citedin the botanical description which accurately describe the color of thenew Kalanchoe cultivar ‘KJ 2003 0818’.

The first photograph shows a top perspective view of a typical pottedflowering plant of ‘KJ 2003 0818’, 19 weeks after planting of cutting.The second photograph shows a side perspective view of a typical pottedflowering plant of ‘KJ 2003 0818’, 18 weeks after planting of cutting.The third photograph shows the following typical plant parts of ‘KJ 20030818’: A. Inflorescence; B. Inside a flower; C. Flower bud, site; D.Flower; E. Flower bud, top; F. Petal; G. Pistil; H. Sepal; I. Matureleaf; J. Young leaf.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘KJ 2003 0818’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary significantly with variations in environment such astemperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in thegenotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Kalanchoecultivar as grown in a greenhouse in Hinnerup, Denmark, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The plants were grown in greenhouse at 64.4° F. at daytime and 68° F.during night. The cultivar was produced in a 10.5 cm pot. The cuttingswere grown in a long day for the first 5 weeks. From week 6 afterplanting and onwards, the cultivar was grown in short day conditions (10hours light and 14 hours darkness). After 17 weeks in total, thecultivar would be ready for sale. The cultivar was grown under naturallight conditions supplemented with 70 μmol/m²/s SON-T light when thenatural light was less than 100 μmol/m²/s. At a short day, the floweringwas induced. The reaction time from day of induction to day of firstopened flower was 74 days. The peat based soil mix was watered with asolution containing 200 parts per million (ppm) nitrogen, 200 ppmpotassium, 40 ppm phosphorous, 200 ppm calcium, 40 ppm magnesium, 60 ppmsulphate, 1 ppm iron, 0.6 ppm manganese, 0.1 ppm copper, 0.1 ppm zink,0.3 ppm borium, and 0.03 ppm molybdenum.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), published 2001, except wheregeneral colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values weretaken under daylight conditions at approximately 12 noon in a greenhousein Hinnerup, Denmark. The age of the plant described is 19 weeks fromthe time the cutting was planted in growth medium to when the picturewas taken.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Male or pollen parent.—K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata            interspecific hybrid ‘KJ 1998 469’.        -   Female or seed parent.—K. blossfeldiana cultivar ‘Leonardo’            (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,365).-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific            hybrid cultivar ‘KJ 2003 0818’.-   Propagation: Vegetative terminal cuttings.    -   -   Rooting habit.—The cultivar has numerous, branched, fine and            fibrous roots.        -   Time to initiate roots.—It takes between 1 and 2 weeks to            initiate roots.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—It will take 3 weeks to            produce a well rooted cutting. In winter time, it can take            on week more.-   Plant: If the plants are grown according to the description above,    it will perform as described below. Variation from this should be    expected over the course of the year, and if the physical growing    conditions varies from the description.    -   -   Growth habit.—This cultivar is upright and uniform. The            flowers are formed above the top of the leaf canopy, but the            flowers will also appear between the leaves. The flowers are            assembled in numerous compound inflorescences. ‘KJ 2003            0818’ is freely flowering with numerous compound cymes.        -   Growth rate.—Ready for sale after 18 weeks.        -   Branching habit and description.—Freely branching; typically            8 to 10 lateral branches develop per plant.        -   Height at flowering.—The height of the cultivar is about 25            cm from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant,            depending on the growth conditions.        -   Spread/diameter at flowering.—The diameter of the cultivar            at flowering is from leaf tip to leaf tip about 25 cm.-   Stems:    -   -   Appearance.—The cultivar has between 8 to 10 stems with            none, one or numerous leaf pairs on the stem. The            inflorescence on the top of the flower stem is branched            giving an inverted triangle with a rounded crown. Each            branch has between 25 and 43 flowers.        -   Aspect.—The stem is strong.        -   Length.—The length varies from 12 to 16 cm depending on            growth conditions.        -   Texture.—The texture of the stem is glabrous and shinning.        -   Color.—The color of the stem is yellow green, RHS 137 A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—The foliage is yellow-green with the same color            of the immature as well as the mature leaf, RHS 139 A. The            majority of the leaves are at the base of the plant, but            immature leaves appear also on the flowering stem.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—The leaves are defined as ovate            leaves.        -   Apex.—The form of the apex is acute.        -   Base.—The form of the base is obtuse.        -   Length.—The length of the foliage varies from 5 cm for an            immature leaf to 10.5 cm for a mature leaf.        -   Width.—The width varies from 3 cm for an immature leaf to 8            cm for a mature leaf.        -   Margin.—The foliage has a crenate margin.        -   Texture.—The foliage is glabrous and shinning.        -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: The color of the mature            leaf is a dark green color, and is closely described with            RHS 139A. The margin has a brighter green color and is            closely described with RHS 144A. Immature leaf: The immature            leaf is a dark green color, and is closely described with            RHS 139A. The margin has a brighter green color, and is            closely described with RHS 144A.        -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: The color of the lower            surface is grayish green color, and is closely described            with RHS 138A. Immature leaf: The immature leaf is a grayish            green color, and is closely described with RHS 138A.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: No difference between the            color of venation and the rest of the leaf. Lower surface:            No difference between the color of venation and the rest of            the leaf.        -   Petiole.—Length: The length of the petiole varies between an            immature and mature leaf. The length of an immature leaf is            about 1 cm. The length of a mature leaf is about 3.5 cm.            Diameter: The diameter of the petiole varies between an            immature and mature leaf. The diameter of an immature leaf            is 5 mm. The diameter of a mature leaf is 7 mm. Color: Dark            green, RHS 139A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—The flower is a double-type with up            to 43 petals per flower. The average number of petals per            flower is 35.        -   Natural flowering season.—The flowering season is year            round, when grown according to description above. When            planting outside the flowering season will be in the summer            (April to October), depending on local climatic conditions.        -   Time to flower.—The time from start of short day treatment            to 1^(st) flower is about 74 days, approximately 1 week            longer in winter time.        -   Flowering stem length.—The length of the flowering stem is            ranging from 15 to 18 cm depending on the growth conditions.        -   Post production longevity.—‘KJ 2003 0818’ maintain good leaf            and flower substance for at least 6 weeks under interior            environmental conditions.        -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—‘KJ 2003 0818’            withstands wind, rain and direct sunlight, and can cope with            temperatures between 40 and 95 degrees F.        -   Fragrance.—‘KJ 2003 0818’ has no fragrance.        -   Flower size.—The diameter of the flower range from 20 to 24            mm.        -   Overall shape.—The shape is rose-like shape, defined by at            least 5 petals per flower.        -   Quantity.—‘KJ 2003 0818’ produces a large number of flower            ranging from 250 to 350 flowers per plant.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: From the time when the bud is showing            color, the flower will open within 10 days. Color: The color            of the bud is yellow green, RHS 144B with a touch of            red-purple, RHS 65A. Shape: The shape of the bud is            ellipsoidal with the smallest diameter toward the apex/base.            Length: The length of the bud is about 1.5 cm. Diameter: The            diameter of the bud is about 4 mm at the base and about 7 mm            at the top.        -   Petal.—Quantity: Typically 30-35 petals fused at the base.            Shape: The shape of petal is broadly elliptic. Length: The            length is about 9 mm. Width: The width is about 6 mm. Apex:            The shape of the apex is cuspidate. Margin: The shape of the            margin can be described as entire. Texture: The texture of            the petals is soft, smooth and mat.        -   Color (when opening & fully opened).—The coloration of the            upper surface of ‘KJ 2003 0818’ changes over the year.            During summertime the colors are more intense, whereas the            winter colors are more dusty.        -   Summer time.—Upper surface: The center of the upper surface            of the petal has an intense warm red-purple color RHS 65 A.            The border of the corolla has a bright red-purple color, RHS            65 D. A fine this longitudinal line from apex to base (wide            is 1 mm) with a darker red-purple color, RHS 64D. Lower            surface: The lower surface of the petal is bright red-purple            RHS 62 D, with a touch of a darker red-purple, RHS 62 B.        -   Winter time.—Upper surface: The center of the upper surface            of the petal has a dusty warm red-purple color, RHS 62 A.            The border of the petal is 65 C. Fine thin longitudinal line            from apex to base (1 mm) with a darker red-purple color, RHS            64 C. Lower surface: The lower surface of the petals is            bright red-purple RHS 62 D with a touch of a darker            red-purple RHS 62 B.        -   Sepal.—Quantity: Typically 4, fused or non-fused at based.            Shape: The shape of sepal is lanceolate. Length: The length            is 8 mm. Width: The width is 3 mm. Apex: The shape of the            apex is acute. Margin: The shape of the margin is entire.            Texture: The texture of the sepals is glabrous and shinning.            Color when opening: Upper surface: The upper surface of the            sepal is yellow green, RHS 143A. Lower surface: The lower            surface of the sepal is yellow green, RHS 143A. Color when            fully open: Upper surface: The upper surface of the sepal is            yellow green, RHS 143A. Lower surface: The lower surface the            sepal is yellow green, RHS 143A.        -   Peduncle description.—Length: Every flower has a peduncle            with a length of 4 mm. Color: The peduncle is green, RHS            144A. Texture: The peduncle is glabrous and shinning.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: The flower has between 4 and 6            stamens. Color: The color of the stamens is yellow-orange,            RHS 1 9A.        -   Anthers.—Number: The number of anthers is between 4 and 6.            Size: The size is 1 mm in length. Color: The color of the            anthers is yellow-orange, RHS 20B . Filament Color: The            color of the filament is yellow-orange, RHS 19C. Pollen            Color: The color of the pollen is yellow-green, RHS 15C .            Pollen Amount: A very small amount of pollen with pour            pollen fertility of 2 %, depending on the time of year.        -   Gynoecium.—Regarding the pistil, stigma, style and ovary            abnormality of can occur, and a part of the female            reproduction organs will not fully develop. Pistil: Number:            The number of pistils is 3-4. Stigma: Shape: The shape of            stigma is round. Color: The color of the stigma is green,            RHS 145 C. Style: Shape: The shape of the style is thin and            cylindrical. Color: The color of style is green, RHS 145 C.            Ovary: Color: The color of ovary is green, RHS 144 C.        -   Seeds.—Number: Between 20 and 30 potential seeds per ovary.            Width: The width of the seeds is mm. Length: The length of            the seeds is mm. Shape: The shape of the seeds is            ellipsoidal. Color: The color of the potential seeds is            yellow-green, RHS 145 B.        -   Fruit (Ovary).—Shape: The shape of the fruit is cylindrical.            Width: The width of the fruit is 1.5 mm. Length: The length            of the fruit is 3 mm. Color: The color of the fruit is            green, RHS 144 C.-   Disease resistance/susceptibility: No information on disease    resistance or susceptibility is currently available.-   Pest resistance/susceptibility: No information on disease resistance    or susceptibility is currently available.

1. A new and distinct K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybridplant named ‘KJ 2003 0818’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.